Stanford will no longer manage Roman classical center

STANFORD -- Stanford's Overseas Studies Program has announced that it will
relinquish management of an important training ground for American classical
scholars - the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome - over
the next two years.

Founded in 1965 by Stanford classicist Brooks Otis, the center makes it
possible for about 72 undergraduates annually from throughout the United
States to spend a semester in Rome studying Roman history, art and
archaeology, language and literature, as well as Renaissance and Baroque art
history. It is supported by a consortium of almost 75 colleges and
universities.

"It was difficult to reach the decision that we should not continue to
operate the center," said Russell A. Berman, director of Stanford Overseas
Studies and professor of German studies.

He said the primary factor that led to Stanford's decision was the
increased demand on his staff to manage Stanford's own programs overseas.
These include study centers in Florence, Oxford, Kyoto, Santiago, Paris,
Berlin and Moscow.

Stanford plans to transfer administration of the center when an
appropriate new managing organization is identified, according to Fordham
University classics Professor Harry B. Evans, chairman of the center's
managing committee.

He added that Stanford "has expressed its clear intention to ensure that
in this transition there will be no disruption in the smooth functioning of
the Rome Center, which is, and will continue to be, fiscally and
programatically strong."

Under Stanford's management, the Intercollegiate Center has played a major
role in educating the latest generation of classics scholars. Most of the
young classicists currently teaching and doing research in American colleges
and universities have studied at the center and cite it as an important part
of their academic development and training.

In the past 29 years, 96 Stanford students have attended the center in
Rome, mostly classics majors. News that Stanford would relinquish its
management of the center hit Stanford's Classics Department especially hard,
according to Professor Susan Treggiari.

"My reaction was one of great sadness and disappointment," she said.
"We've been performing an enormous service to the profession, and I'm very
sorry to give up that responsibility.

"The decision is going to damage the reputation of Classics at Stanford,"
she added, "though it had nothing to do with the department itself."

Evans said that the managing committee will take whatever steps are
necessary to continue the viability of the program.

"Overseas Studies and Stanford have been very important to the success of
ICCS, and replacing them will be a challenge," Evans said. "But I am
confident that we will find a new management organization to carry on the
strong role that they have provided.

"In the meantime, the Rome Center is operating as usual under Stanford's
very capable management. We look forward to welcoming the next group of
students in January of 1995, the 30th anniversary of the founding of ICCS,
and to enrolling the groups which follow."

-tmj-

940926Arc4118.html

This is an archived release.

This release is not available in any other form.
Images mentioned in this release are not available online.
Stanford News Service has an extensive library of images,
some of which may be available to you online.
Direct your request by EMail to images@news-service.stanford.edu.